Ffordes Reviews 

Always great friendly reliable customer service

Ordered a pair of Leica Ultravid 8x50 HD Plus binoculars off Ffordes website.

They were described as MINT Minus so I was expecting to see a slight mark or blemish on the binoculars somewhere.

Anyway, they arrived within 48 hrs which good considering I ordered them at c 5pm . Upon opening the box and closely examining them I was delighted to see they were in absolutely and utterly AS NEW condition. All the original packaging was there as were all the accessories , instructions, the majority of them such as the strap and rainguard were unused. I've worked in photo retail over the years, seen a vast array of all sorts of used equipment and graded them accordingly. Even with my critical eye I could not see a single blemish anywhere on them.

Ffordes have produced a shopping experience I would have been proud to have given back in the day. They have for me underpromised and overdelivered. And their packaging and overall attention to detail was superb as well.

Couldn't be more happy !

Superb advice, superb service, extremely fair trade in for old kit. Totally recommend this company. Binoculars, telescope and camera bought here over the years. Would not go any where else!

I have been shopping at Ffordes for years, without a problem. I feel that if there was a problem they would sort it out, they are an honest outfit. More often than not their grading has proved to be conservative, I have no problem buying exc+ knowing the item will be very presentable. I bought my latest camera from them and then looked round for a lens only to find the best deal at Ffordes, blast it, two lots of postage. But no, very quickly I received a refund on postage as both items were packed together. This is unusual, many dealers would charge twice. If you are buying an expensive older camera such as my Leica M8 their return policy gives you confidence. Lovely that they sell a good range of film. I look at their website almost every day, you can pick up great equipment at low prices if you are quick. As you can tell, I trust Ffordes.All the best, Charles.

My first experience in dealing with Ffordes, but certainly won't be my last.
I needed advice on a certain camera, to include a suitable lens, and having spoken to a very helpful John, I settled on and purchased the relevant items.
These were delivered extremely quickly, and I have to say was, and am delighted with my purchases.
I would certain recommend Ffordes to anyone for all things photography.

Just received my order from ffordes , both flash gun and camera control are as advertised in excellent condition , even the batterys were supplied for them which was a bonus , delivery was fast next day before 1.pm , will be using ffordes again .

Bought a 50mm 1.4 lens from FFordes a few weeks ago not only am I disappointed with my purchase ill never buy anything from there ever again. In the description it did say faulty but working on manual focus only no auto. So i ordered it my first shoot with it i went to zoom out fully in manual and it locked up. Not only did it lock up but it had no focus what so ever. I had to pay Duty into Ireland not stated on there website that there could be import charges. So instead of me sending it back I have sent it out for repair as it should be still a good lens when working properly I don't understand how FFordes can send actual broken products out the door to a customer & it clearly wasn't even tested properly now im down the cost of the lens Duty charges, Shipping to fixers & repairs & shipping back.
There was a gritty feeling to the lens when i put it on my camera when turning the focus ring clearly not checked what so ever properly.
I have learned my lesson here & to stay clear of FFordes Photographic. I should have just bought a new one it would have cost about the same. Sold as seen ya selling junk more like it. So disappointed its not even funny. I was told it could be either one or two things the aperture ring is warped or the motor is broken or worse both of them are broken.

Received my M3 within 24 hours fantastic. Beautifully packaged. Brilliant company to deal. Staff are brilliant too.

Made 2-3 sales with them. Emails Clear. Letters to confirm sales clear. Purchasing equipment also made with ease. Wouldn't use anyone else when making sales in Scotland.

Very Professional team to work with

I had two Canon lenses buried in a drawer for a long, long time, thinking someday they might be useful. I had changed to a different camera. On a clear-out I decided to sell the lenses thinking that if I get another Canon down the line I will probably be tempted by newer lenses.

Ffordes had sold something previously for me and also for my husband. This was different; the first lens was sold very quickly for a great price but the second lens was problematic in that the housing was not in good shape and it needed a repair to make it saleable.

The lovely people at Ffordes kept me informed and although Scotland may seem a long way away to a Londoner their phone communication was so friendly and helpful it isn't! I figured that it wasn't worth paying to repair something that might bomb and more or less suggested to Ffordes that they could do what they wished with the lens. It left my mind.

I have just been informed that they decided to repair it anyway and they sold it successfully and I now have an unexpected juicy payment just paid into my account.

I cannot praise Ffordes' honesty, their friendly, clear advice and encouragement to someone like me who is not at all technical, and finally their intelligence not to give up. They kept me in the picture all the way despite my more or less suggesting they just dump the lens for me!

I would go to them again and highly recommend them. They made the transaction a pleasant partnership.

A quick phone call to discuss the quality of a Billingham bag with an honest a friendly assistant identified my initial selection on line would not have been suitable both in capacity or condition, but it’s described condition was honest. I am over the moon with my final selection after discussion.

Great shop. Staff are lovely to communicate with and respond quickly to any enquiries.

Second hand items are given accurate and honest condition ratings (unlike eBay) and fair prices. And whilst items have a warranty, I've not had to use it yet.

I have shopped with ffordes many times and even visited the shop whilst on holiday! The service and quality have always been top notch! Prices are competitive and the deliveries are lightening quick!
The staff are really friendly and knowledgeable. I can highly recommend them for all your photography needs!

Ffordes. My byword for Photographic Dealer.
Used this company since their days at Elmer Approach, Southend On Sea.
Ordered Fuji Items when in Riyadh, on a Thursday, had them Monday.
Never failed me, quality of goods, quality of service, quality of advice and acceptable prices.

I have bought a number of used items from Ffordes, the grading is always on the conservative side, my latest purchase graded as E++ is closer to Mint. I assume Mint would be with box and manual. The last purchase required 8 AA cells to operate and good quality Alkaline + were included. The level of thoughtful customer service is outstanding.

I took quite a lot of redundant equipment to Ffordes a couple of years ago, I left it with them for valuation, when the values came back, some of the gear was so poorly priced I asked for it to be returned only to be told it had already been sold. Some items like 72mm filters I was told were of no value and had been sent for recycling. Perhaps these were of no value to Ffordes but they cost me hundreds of pounds.

Could not wish for a more helpful company, helpful and courteous staff.

I've dealt with Ffordes for 30 years. Last week I bought a s/h Nikon D300 SLR. It arrived in pristine condition but several days late due to Parcelforce's ineptitude. Ffordes kept me informed where my camera was while it bumbled through Parcelforce's network. That's service! I cannot speak highly enough about Ffordes customer care. It's absolutely second to none.

As always, excellent service, fast secure delivery and a very helpful team. My go to photographic store.

Another great experience from a business I have trusted for well over a decade.
What’s not to like? Accurate descriptions, a warranty, urgent delivery, very good prices, always on hand to offer personal advice on purchases.....it’s all just sooooo good.
Why risk an online auction purchase when you have somewhere as great as this instead?